Celebrating You
Music written in May 2003, lyrics in 2007 by David Wholihan, Moira Giammatteo & Michael Giammatteo
Celebrating you – is about my boy reclaiming his stolen childhood. It is sort of the companion piece to (You Are Not) The Forgotten One. I feel like Vico missed a few years where he was too “far away” Then, as he started returning to us, he was so bogged down with therapists & interventions that he missed out on a lot of just being a child. Recently, we started cutting back on his after school appointments to allow him time just to be a kid and have some fun. This song was very easy to write – for me anyway. David & I wrote the melody to a set of pre-written lyrics by Moira. I remember David doing most of the “writing” while I kind of “guided” the process. Moira was never happy with her original words, so we re-wrote them together. Again, she did most of the work & I “guided” the process along.
The recording was done in two parts. The backing tracks were recorded in 2003. David laid down a crazy number of guitar parts (easily twenty) plus a beautifully melodic bassline (my favorite of his bass parts) and I mixed it down to one big, compressed noise. In 2007, Matt laid down the amazing drum part, then I recorded the vocals. Although I don’t think this is the best song in this set, it is my favorite recording to listen to. It just gives off a good vibe (for me). And I love Moira’s lyrics.
Musicians:
David: bass, guitars
Michael: vocals
Matt: drums
CELEBRATING YOU
Happy houses line the street
Little faces peeking out
Bubble sunshine, sticky hands
Gap tooth grins and rubber bands
Love stretches for miles, any road you care to choose
My beautiful child, every road leads back to you
Silent tip toe lock and key
Floating on a sea of light
Elephants on shopping spree
Stealing off into the night
Love stretches for miles, any road you care to choose
My beautiful child, every road leads back to you
Cotton candy reminiscence
Jelly bean army called to war
Marshmallow fluff resistance
Laughing boy that I adore
Wild laughter ricochets
Like monkeys in the zoo
Dreams deferred now on their way
They’re looking after you
Love stretches for miles, any road you care to choose
My beautiful child, every road leads back to you